Electric plug connector for the handicapped

ABSTRACT

An electric plug connector for the handicapped to promote easier and safer manual connection and separation of a standard, twoprong plug of a household appliance to and from a source of electrical power. The connector includes a nonconducting receptacle open at the top and shaped to promote the easy insertion and removal of the plug prongs in generally a horizontal position into and from a pair of shaped slots containing electrical contacts connected to a source of current through a switch. A cover, pivotally mounted on the receptacle, prevents access to the contacts or plug when the cover is closed. The cover is provided with a pair of downwardly directed studs which press the prongs into locking engagement with the contacts when the cover is closed. A switch is actuated by the cover to allow a flow of current to the contacts when the cover is in the closed position and deactivated when the cover is raised to the open position. When the cover is opened, the plug prongs are freed from the electrical contacts to promote easy removal of the plug from the connector.

United States Pate'nt [72] inventors Walter Warren Egee Walllngtord; William J. Feehery, Jr., l-iavertown, both 0!, Pa. [2!] Appl. No. 879,881

[22] Filed Nov. 25, 1969 [45] Patented Aug. 31, 1971 [73] Assignee Campbell Soup Company Camden, NJ.

[54] ELECTRIC PLUG CONNECTOR FOR THE HANDICAPPED 5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl... 200/50 A,

' ZOO/51.08 [51] int. Cl. H0lh 33/48 [50] Field of Search ..200/50.2,

[56] 7 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,595,949 5/1952 Karlsson.... ZOO/50.2 (UX) 2,960,675 11/1960 Hansen 339/36 X 3,088,004 4/1963 Mueller ZOO/50.2 (UX) 3,475,569 Glaudot ZOO/50.2 (UX) lO/l969 FOREIGN PATENTS 642,996 7/l962 Italy ..200/50.2(UX) Primary Examiner-David Smith, J r. Attorney-Howson and Howson ABSTRACT: An electric plug connector for the handicapped to promote easier and safer manual connection and separation of a standard, two-prong plug of a household appliance to and from a source of electrical power. The connector includes a nonconducting receptacle open at the top and shaped to promote the easy insertion and removal of the plug prongs in generally a horizontal position into and from a pair of shaped slots containing electrical contacts connected to a source of current through a switch. A cover, pivotally mounted on the receptacle, prevents access-to the contacts or plug when the cover is closed. The cover is provided with a pair of downwardly directed studs which press the prongs into locking engagement with the contacts when the cover is closed. A switch is actuated by the cover to allow a flow of current to the contacts when the cover is in the closed position and deactivated when the coveris raised to the open position. When the cover isopened, the plugprongs are freed from the electrical contacts to promote easy removal of the plug from the connector.

PATENIEU was] 197:

SHEET 2 OF 2 Y INVENTORS.

w-. WARREN EGEE WILLIAM J. FEEHERY mAomw ATTORNEY.

ELECTRIC PLUG CONNECTOR FOR THE HANDICAPPED BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The standard, household electric wall outlet is provided with a cover plate having a pair of narrow slots in front of the energized contacts to prevent accidental touching of the contacts. People of ordinary muscular dexterity are able to place the prongs of a standard, two-prong appliance plug in the slots and then push the plug with sufficient force to move the prongs into position in the contacts. However, many handicapped persons, particularly those afflicted with limited muscular control in their hands-and arms, are unable to hold the plug in the required position, locate the prongs in the slots and then push the plug into the outlet with sufficient force, particularly when the outlet is inconveniently located, such as on a kitchen wall beneath cabinets. Also, the handicapped resulting from blindness are frequently unable to locate the outlet slots and are subject to the risk of receiving an electrical shock if they touch the prongs of the plug when the plug is partially or incorrectly inserted in the standard outlet. As many handicapped persons are required to make their own meals and rely on appliances, such as electric can openers, mixers, carving knives, and various electrical cooking or heating appliances, to compensate for their handicap condition, it is most important that such people be able to easily connect and disconnect the appliance from the source of electrical power. Further, a suitable connector must be so designed as to prevent the user from receiving an electric shock by accidental touching of energized contacts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is the principal object of this invention to provide a connector adapted to facilitate connecting and separating of an ordinary appliance plug to a source of household electrical power by a handicapped person while preventing accidental contact with the energized electrical contacts.

It is another object of this invention to provide an inexpensive and simplified device having the advantages described herein which can be easily used by people who are blind or possess only very limited control of their hand and arm movements.

To satisfy the objects referred to generally above and to provide the advantages described herein, the connector of this invention includes a nonconducting, open top receptacle containing shaped electrical contacts into which a standard, twoprong plug may be easily placed and removed by a person of limited muscular control and a pivotally connected cover which actuates a flow of current to the contacts only when the cover is in the closed position. The connector further includes means for pressing the plug prongs into continual engagement with the shaped contacts and means for positively disengaging the prongs when the cover is moved to the open position and the contacts are deenergized.

These objects and other attended advantages of this invention will become more apparent from consideration of the written description and the drawings, wherein:

FIG. I is a vertical sectional view of the preferred form of the device of this invention taken along the lines and arrows l -l of FIG. 3;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. l with the cover in the open position;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the lines and arrows 33 of FIG. I;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken along the lines and arrows 4-4 of FIG. ll;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along the lines and arrows 5-5 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view taken along the lines and arrows 6--6 of FIG. 1.

The preferred form of the device of this invention may be described as follows. With reference to FIG. I, the generally support the device on a convenient counter or shelf in a' kitchen of other room where electrical appliances will be used. The base 18, receptacle l2 and cover 14 are formed from a nonconducting material, such as LEXAN.

The generally cubical shaped receptacle 12 is provided with w an open top recess 22 from which extend laterally into the solid portion of the receptacle a pair of open top, deep slots 24 in which are mounted for limited vertical movement a pair of metal contacts 26 (FIGS. 1 and 3). Each contact 26 (FIG. 5) has an open, flexible, V-shape top portion 26a connected to a metal shank 26b (FIG. 1) located in a vertical bore 260 which extends downwardly from slot 24 in the receptacle to base 18. The shank of each contact 26 is connected by a wire 40 to one side of a double-poled, double throw, snapout switch 42 which is permanently connected through wires 44 to a source of electrical power, such as the house circuit. The switch 42 is actuated by a spring-biased plunger 60 which extends from the switch in base 18 through a bore 61 in receptacle 12 (FIG. 6) into a recess 62 in the top of the receptacle. A threaded bolt 64 is mounted in cover 14 with a lower point 64a extending beneath the cover to contact and depress plunger 60 when the cover 14 is fully closed and thereby throw the switch from off to on.

Slots 24 in receptacle 12, as shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4 and 5, are of greater depth than width and each are provided with opposing, inwardly directed shoulders 24a which are of such size and location as to allow the U-shaped top portion 26a of each contact to remain open while the contact is inthe raised position (FIG. 5). The tops of the V-portions 26a rest against opposing, inwardly directed lips 24b and are thereby retained in the slots 24 when in the raised position. When, however, each contact is pressed downwardly by means hereafter described, the shoulders 24a flex the V-portions inwardly so that they firmly grip the plug prongs PP between their opposing portions and the contacts themselves become locked in the lower, narrower portions of the slots beneath the shoulders (FIG. 4).

Located for limited movement beneath and in contact with each of the contacts 26 is a vertically positioned nonconducting pin 30 (FIG. 1) within a similarly shaped bore 32, together with a horizontally arranged pin 34 located in bore 36. Each of the pairs of pins 30, 34 are provided with opposing tapered ends 30a, 34a, which remain in contact as shown in FIGv I. Pins 34 have, at their distal ends, shoulders 34b which are restrained by plugs 35 when the pins move to the fully out position or to the left as shown in FIG. 1. When contacts 26 are depressed, pins 30 are similarly depressed (FIG. 4) and cause pins 34 to move horizontally to the left as shown in FIG. 1 and to protrude from the rear of the receptacle. Cover 14 is so shaped that when it is rotated about bolt R6 to the fully open position (FIG. 2), back portion 54 presses inwardly against pins 34 causing pins 30 and contacts 26 to rise (FIG. 2;)and portions 26a to spring apart releasing the plug prongs P The cover 14 is provided with a pair of overlapping, side flanges Ma (FIG. 2 and 3) which cover the two sides of receptacle l2 and prevent access to it after the top has been closed. The inner surface of the cover includes a recess 14b to provide additional space to accommodate a larger diameter plug then that shown in FIG. I. The cover is further provided with a pair of downwardly directed studs 50 so shaped and located on the cover that they descend within slots 24 when cover 14 is in the closed position, as shown in FIG. ll, 4 and 5. In this position, the studs contact plug prongs PP (FIG. 4) and press them and contacts 26 downwardly in slots 24 until V-shaped portions 26a pass beyond the shoulders 24a. Receptacle I2 is also provided with a narrow, centerline opening 12a (FIG. 3) through which extends the cord C connecting the plug P to the appliance not shown.

substantially as follows. The connector 10, already connected to a source of electrical current through wires 44 in the base 18, is placed at a convenient location on a flat surface. The cover 14 is raised so that cover back portion 54 presses inwardly against the pair of pins 34 causing pins 30 to move vertically and raise the contacts 26 in slots 24 so that the V-portions 26a flex outwardly above shoulders 24a in each slot. A standard plug P may be grasped loosely by the-cord C near the plug and is held generally horizontally (FIG. 2). The plug is generally dropped or even flicked into the open top of receptacle 12 so that the plug portion P fits generally within recess 22 while the prongs PP fall within slots 24. It is apparent that the shape of the recess and slots promote the placement of the plug. Further, if a handicapped person fails to place the plug and prongs in the correct position in the receptacle at first, he can continue to flick the cord until the prongs fall into position, and the cord passes through recess 12a. As cover 14 is in the open position, the contacts 26 are not energized so there is no possibility of obtaining a shock even if both contacts or prongs were touched. Cover 14 is then pivoted to the closed position, which operation does not require a high level of manual dexterity and may be accomplished simply by striking the back of the cover. As the cover descends over and seals receptacle 12 (FIG. studs 50 descend into slots 24 and press the plug prongs downwardly into V-portions 26a causing the contacts to descend partially beyond shoulders 24a of slots 24 (FIG. 4). The V-portions are thereby compressed and locked between shoulders 24a and the prongs are held tightly within the V-portions to provide good electrical contact between the prongs and the contacts. Pins 30 are also moved downwardly by descending contacts 26 and move pins 34 to the left as shown in FIG. 1. The closing cover also depresses plunger 60 by bolt 64 which actuates switch 42 to energize contacts 26 through connecting wires 40 and lights the pilot 'light 48 through wires 46 indicating that electrical power is being supplied to the appliance plug.

After the appliance has been used and it is desired to remove the plug from the connector 10, the cover 14 is raised which immediately allows plunger 60 to rise, actuating the switch and deenergizing contacts 26. Further pivoted movement of the cover presses pins 34 inwardly which in turn raise pins 30 and contacts 26, lifting the V-portions beyond shoulders 24a and freeing the plug prongs PP. The plug may then be easily lifted out of the slots 24 and from the receptacle 12 generally by grasping the cord C adjacent the front of the receptacle and flicking it upwardly. The contacts in the connector are deenergized and the cover may be closed until the device is used again.

Although the preferred form of the invention has been described in detail herein, it is apparent that those skilled in the art could make modifications and additions in the specific form described while remaining within the spirit of the invention. For example, the cover may be modified to include a small handle which would eliminate the need for a handicapped person to grasp the sides of the cover in order to lift it, and would allow the cover to be flicked open by a finger. Also, the surface of the receptacle adjacent the slots 24 could be inclined downwardly and inwardly toward each slot so that the plug prongs would tend to slide into the slots even if placed to one side of the slots. Further, a solenoid actuated indicator may be inserted in base 18 in place of the pilot light 48 so that a blind person can feel the indicator when it is in the raised or actuated position to know when electrical power is being supplied to the appliance.

It is thereby apparent that the device of this invention facilitates connection of an appliance plug to a source of electrical power by requiring only that the handicapped person be able to flip open the cover, drop the plug into the receptacle by flicking the cord and strike the cover into the closed position to complete the connection. The device similarly facilitates removal of the plug from a source of electrical power by providing positive means for freeing the plug prongs from the electrical contacts so that the plug can be disengaged by simply lifting or flicking the cord and plug upwardly. It is readily apparent that such. operation requires much less manual dexterity than the grasping and continuous pulling effort required to separate a plug from the ordinary household wall outlet.

We claim:

1. A device to assist the handicap in engaging and disengaging standard two-prong electrical plug to and from a source of electrical power, comprising: a receptacle having a pair of electrical contacts connected to a source of electrical power through a switch; a recess in the receptacle to receive the plug, a pair of slots extending laterally from the recess, said slots having top openings larger than the thickness of the prongs and containing the contacts therein, so that when the plug is dropped, generally horizontally into the recess the prongs fall within the slots and against the contacts, a cover for the receptacle which when in the closed position prevents manual contact with the contacts and when in the open position allows manual insertion of the plug in the receptacle, .means connected to the cover to press the plug prongs into continuing engagement with the contacts when the cover is in the closed position and to release the prongs when the cover is in the open position, and means forming part of the cover for actuating the switch to allow a flow of electrical power to the contacts when the cover is in the closed position and for actuating the switch to stop a flow of electrical power to the contacts when in the open position.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the contacts have open, V- shaped top portions and are mounted in the slots so that the prongs fall into the open, top portions of the contacts when the plug is placed in the receptacle.

3. A device for facilitating the engagement and disengagement of a standard two-prong electrical appliance plug to and from a source of household current, comprising:

a receptacle having an interior recess open at the top and a pair of slots extending laterally from the recess and open at thetop so that the base portion of the plug may be laid within the recess and the prongs laid within the slots,

a pair of electrical contacts located within the slots, each contact having a generally open, V-shaped top portion to readily receive the prongs of the plug therein, said prongs being connected to a source of electrical current through a switch,

a cover mounted on the receptacle for pivotal movement between an open and a closed position, said cover preventing access to the contacts when in the closed position,

a pair of studs mounted on and extending downwardly from the interior surface of the cover so that when the cover is in the closed position the studs fit within the slots of the receptacle to press the plug prongs into continual engagement with the V-shaped top portions of the contacts, and

means mounted within the receptacle and actuated by movement of the cover between the open and closed position to allow a flow of current to the contacts when the cover is in the closed position and to stop a flow of current when the cover is in the open position.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein each slot is provided with a pair of inwardly directed, opposing shoulders located generally below the V-shaped top portion of the contact when the cover is in the open position, whereby when the cover is closed, each stud presses a plug prong and a contact downwardly until the V-shaped top portion of the contact is compressed by the shoulders locking both the prong in the contact and the contact in the slot.

5. The device of claim 4 including means for positively disengaging the plug prongs from the contacts when the cover is raised to the fully open position, said means including;

a first pin mounted in the receptacle beneath each contact for limited vertical movement with the contact, said pin having a tapered lower end,

a second pin mounted in the receptacle for limited generally horizontal movement, said pin having one tapered end in contact with the tapered end of the first pin and a distal end extending outside of the receptacle when in one position, whereby when the cover is closed, the cover studs depress the plug prongs and contacts and cause the first pins to move downwardly which, in turn, cause the the first pins to lift the contacts and free the prongs for removal of the plug. 1 

1. A device to assist the handicap in engaging and disengaging standard two-prong electrical plug to and from a source of electrical power, comprising: a receptacle having a pair of electrical contacts connected to a source of electrical power through a switch; a recess in the receptacle to receive the plug, a pair of slots extending laterally from the recess, said slots having top openings larger than the thickness of the prongs and containing the contacts therein, so that when the plug is dropped generally horizontally into the recess the prongs fall within the slots and against the contacts, a cover for the receptacle which when in the closed position prevents manual contact with the contacts and when in the open position allows manual insertion of the plug in the receptacle, means connected to the cover to press the plug prongs into continuing engagement with the contacts when the cover is in the closed position and to release the prongs when the cover is in the open position, and means forming part of the cover for actuating the switch to allow a flow of electrical power to the contacts when the cover is in the closed position and for actuating the switch to stop a flow of electrical power to the contacts when in the open position.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the contacts have open, V-shaped top portions and are mounted in the slots so thAt the prongs fall into the open, top portions of the contacts when the plug is placed in the receptacle.
 3. A device for facilitating the engagement and disengagement of a standard two-prong electrical appliance plug to and from a source of household current, comprising: a receptacle having an interior recess open at the top and a pair of slots extending laterally from the recess and open at the top so that the base portion of the plug may be laid within the recess and the prongs laid within the slots, a pair of electrical contacts located within the slots, each contact having a generally open, V-shaped top portion to readily receive the prongs of the plug therein, said prongs being connected to a source of electrical current through a switch, a cover mounted on the receptacle for pivotal movement between an open and a closed position, said cover preventing access to the contacts when in the closed position, a pair of studs mounted on and extending downwardly from the interior surface of the cover so that when the cover is in the closed position the studs fit within the slots of the receptacle to press the plug prongs into continual engagement with the V-shaped top portions of the contacts, and means mounted within the receptacle and actuated by movement of the cover between the open and closed position to allow a flow of current to the contacts when the cover is in the closed position and to stop a flow of current when the cover is in the open position.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein each slot is provided with a pair of inwardly directed, opposing shoulders located generally below the V-shaped top portion of the contact when the cover is in the open position, whereby when the cover is closed, each stud presses a plug prong and a contact downwardly until the V-shaped top portion of the contact is compressed by the shoulders locking both the prong in the contact and the contact in the slot.
 5. The device of claim 4 including means for positively disengaging the plug prongs from the contacts when the cover is raised to the fully open position, said means including: a first pin mounted in the receptacle beneath each contact for limited vertical movement with the contact, said pin having a tapered lower end, a second pin mounted in the receptacle for limited generally horizontal movement, said pin having one tapered end in contact with the tapered end of the first pin and a distal end extending outside of the receptacle when in one position, whereby when the cover is closed, the cover studs depress the plug prongs and contacts and cause the first pins to move downwardly which, in turn, cause the second pins to move laterally so that their distal ends are outside of the receptacle, and when the cover is opened, the second pins are pressed inwardly by the cover causing the first pins to lift the contacts and free the prongs for removal of the plug. 